Pancreatic Cancer Research Paper

The pancreas is located between the stomach and small intestine, and secretes insulin and glucagon to balance blood sugar levels in the body. When the pancreas does not work properly, a person may be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, which is more commonly known simply as Diabetes (Morris and Maisto, 2002). People with diabetes suffer from extreme thirst, fatigue, lack of or increased appetite, and a myriad of other symptoms if their condition is not controlled properly with diet, exercise, and medications (if needed) (Steadman’s Concise Medical Dictionary, 2001).

I am a lucky yet unlucky man. They call it PanCan, short for Pancreatic Cancer, there are many stages I must say yet there are relatively 20% survival rate and to get to live up to five years? 6% chance. The larger my tumor gets the less likely it’ll be cured. They give me 2 years top, if I am lucky; but I’ve learned to cope with the cancer. You see even people who have 3-5 cm appear to have been cured by surgery, I have hope. On a daily basis I find myself struggling with daily activities, changes in appearances and even anxiety of the future, and on top of all that, I am constantly anxious about treatment and if it will work. Pancreatic Cancer is cruel and ruthless, it will devour one’s

Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer leads to Principal Sandy Shore to declare his resignation at the Papillion-La Vista South High School graduation today.

This type of tumors can be categorized by either functional or non-functional hormone secreting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors include: insulin Hormones: As result of PNET insulin is produce in excess and when produce in excess in the body it results in high blood sugar.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women. It is very rare before the age of 45 years, and the majority of patients present in or beyond the sixth decade of life (Feldman et al.2010). Carcinoma arises anywhere in the pancreas. The most common frequent focus is in the head (60%), followed by the body (10%), and the tail (5%). Carcinomas of the head of the pancreas may cause biliary obstruction and jaundice by compressing the ampulla of Vater and common bile duct. They thus tend to be smaller at diagnosis than those of the body and tail and show more limited spread to regional lymph nodes and distant sites. On gross examination, pancreas carcinoma

Pancreatic cancer is the cancer that appears quickly and many die just as quick. Pancreatic cancer is the least known cancer to the medical world; puzzling doctors because most are not sure what diagnosis to look for. However, the risk factors include smoking, diabetes, and obesity. Studies show that pancreatic cancer has a higher percentage in the African American community due to environmental risk factors (John Hopkins Pathology, 2012).

There are two kinds of pancreatic cancer. There is the endocrine tumors and the exocrine tumors. Endocrine tumors are less common and they affect the islet cells of the pancreas. They tend to be benign and not often become malignant. However the exocrine tumors are much more common and this is what Gene is diagnosed with. Exocrine tumors are often called adenocarcinomas and that means cancer affect the gland cells such as the ducts of the glands (American Cancer Society). Pancreatic adenocarcinomas keep the glands from secreting normal The signs and symptoms of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is darkening of the urine, irritated skin, jaundice, pain in the upper abdomen and back, unexplained weight loss, stomach bloating, weakness, and nausea.

The excess accumulation of bile acids in the blood can cause impairment of liver function. Signs and symptoms of cholemia include jaundice, pruritus, bradycardia, fatigue, nausea, low blood pressure and anemia. There is no one particular diagnostic test for this condition. The doctor will usually ask question about patient health history and questions about bile changes and habits. A physical exam will be given. The physician will most likely order a special blood test along with stool samples and an exam of the colon to rule out cancer or

Pancreatic Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Currently there is no cure for this cancer and all available treatments simply prolong the life of the patient. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer rarely occurs at the onset of the disease due to the location of the pancreas in the body. Symptoms such as weight loss and upper abdominal pain do not show up until it is too late. Enzymes produced by tumors known as tumor markers are not reliable until the disease has well progressed. Once you have been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer there are different types of treatments that are offered to prolong your life.

Approximately 20% of pancreatic cancer is found to be operable or resectable. The complete resection of the primary lesion is best treatment for patients with localized pancreatic cancer. However the risk of both local and distal recurrence is high in following resection. In early stage pancreatic cancer the complete resection are associated with considerable morbidity in 40–60% of patients and mortality in less than 3% of patients (Sohn et al., 2000; Winter et al., 2006). Moreover, it takes 2–3 months for complete recovery to a normal quality of life. Although the 5-year survival rate of resected pancreatic cancer is approximately 20% and the median overall survival time is 17–27 months (Winter et al., 2006).

Major age group with acute pancreatitis was 21-30 years (45.65%). There were significant differences in age group of patients (at P< 0.05) [Table2]. In our study all patients had pancreatic oedema. 12 patients (26.08%) had gallstones, 7 patients (15.21%) had pseudo cyst, 8 (17.4%) had ascities and 7 patients (15.21%) had hepatosplenomegaly [Table3]. There was increase in serum amylase level in all patients. Hypocalcaemia was found in 7 patients (15.2%). In 11 cases (23.95) bilirubin level was raised. Prothrombin time was increased in 3 patients (6.5%). In all patients haemoglobin level was normal. We followed Ranson’s criteria to assess the severity and prognosis of the disease. Cholecystectomy was applied for 19 (41.30%) patients. Other operative procedures such as, cholecystogastrostomy and necrosectomy was done for 3 (6.52%) and 2 (4.34%) respectively. There was no need to use any operative procedures for 22 (47.82%) patients [Table4]. 3 patients (6.5%) were died out of 46

Symptoms of stomach cancer include bloating after meals,nausea and loss of appetite. The person may experience repeated indigestion or heartburn, diarrhea or constipation and sudden weight loss. Additional symptoms include fatigue, blood in the stool or vomit, and black, tarry stools. In its early stages, stomach cancer causes few or no symptoms. This fact complicates treatment, because the chances of success are highest if the disease is caught in its early stages. By the time symptoms develop, the disease is often more advanced. At these later stages, the chances of successful treatment are poor. May include abdominal pain, appetite loss, weight loss, diarrhea, black blood in stool, general weakness, vomiting blood, swollen abdomen, noticeable mass in stomach, iron-deficiency anemia.

One of these symptoms is jaundice, which is characterized by yellowish skin and eyes because of an inability of the liver to remove bilirubin from the blood. Patient with cirrhosis also suffering from itching, due to deposited bile's products in the skin. This patient also suffers from accumulation of fluid in legs that is called edema. As a result of the blockage of blood flow via the liver, fluid accumulation in abdomen which is worsen by the decrease in protein production. Other symptoms include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss and nausea. As the disease progress, complications may develop ,such as varices that happens with cirrhosis patient when the blood flow through the liver slows, so the blood from intestine go back to the vessels of the stomach and esophagus, these vessels are not meant to carry this much of blood so they dilate (varices), with increasing

Only after the in between and final stages do symptoms start to occur. Symptoms and signs of stomach cancer may include poor appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, heartburn, indigestion, vomiting, blood in stool, and low red blood cell count. Growths like polyps, ulcers and stomach viruses are more expectant to cause these symptoms rather than cancer. Upper endoscopy is the prime test to determine if patients have stomach cancer. An upper endoscopy is a thin, malleable, light tube with a small video camera.

“Each year, acute pancreatitis sends more than 200,000 Americans to the hospital. Many of those who suffer from pancreatic problems are also heavy drinkers” (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 15). The pancreas is an important organ which aids in digestions and energy conversion. The pancreas directs enzymes to the small intestine to digest nutrients and it also secretes insulin and glucagon. The body’s main source of energy is glucose and insulin allows additional glucose to be stored away in the body properly. Too much alcohol damages cells in the pancreas, causing complications with insulin, leaving the organ open to inflammation. Alcohol causes the pancreas to discharge the enzymes intended for the small intestine back into the pancreas which can lead to inflammation and the swelling of tissues and blood vessels. Pancreatitis is the inflammation which causes the organ to malfunction and if one continues to drink, it can magnify into chronic pancreatitis when the inflammation is constant (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 15-16). Pancreatitis causing severe abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, and is not curable. Sixty-percent of circumstances result from alcohol; although, some have been linked to gallstones (Freeman).